Final Homes

[whodenie]

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The thread had to be started sooner or later. For those out there that know where they are going post away. I am getting closer to a final choice and would love to hear about others' choices.
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[Habari]

i feel pretty far away from deciding any sort of final place - uncertainty abound. i think meeting potential classmates and reconsidering the environment at the various schools during the revisits should shed some light. i know that its a total package deal ... but what factors are most important for you at this point?

 

[mjs]

I have myself down to 3 cities and four programs between them. There's a couple reasons I liked these places in particular.

1) All have cool, smart students.
2) All have cool, smart faculty that were actively involved in dual-degree admissions and/or administration.
3) All have faculty engaging in research that I can see myself pursuing for 4-5 years.
4) They might be willing to pay for me to hang out there for the better part of a decade.
5) They are located in or near a major city.

As for the narrowing it down further, I'm still waiting to hear whether or not I'm in at two programs and I think some of the faculty I've met at these universities would be glad to speak frankly with me about what's best for me.

As it worked out for me, most schools I didn't like rejected me, and the schools that I liked tended to look more favorably on me (either admitting or waitlisting me). Did anybody else see that or am I just bad at concealing a lack of enthusiasm?

 

[whodenie]

I had the same experience. After I was accepted two of my top choices I had interviews at schools where after the first half of the visit I was pretty sure that I was not going to be attending that school. I figured, when I sat down with the directors I didn't hide my thoughts well. I get the feeling that schools like to admit people who they think will come. I think the programs can be as statistic crazed as the applicants. The ratio of offers to seats seems to be an important number for some schools.

I think I know where I am going to go but?..
The intangible parts like how you relate to future classmates, the director, and the general feel of the program are harder to compare. These things all play a big role in the happiness factor.

I look forward to making my final choice and seeing where this great group of people (the forum) go.
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[surge]

I'm almost certain where I'll end up.... 😀